Grenade launcher having a rotatable forwardly sliding barrel and removable firing mechanism



April 211, 1970 H. A. lN'ro 3,507,067

GRENADE LAUNCHER HAVING A ROTATABLE FORWARDLY SLIDING BARREL l ANDREMOVABLE FIRING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 14. 196'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. HENRY A. l NTO ATTORNEYS Apri H. A. IN1-o 3,507,061

GRENADE LAUNCHER HAVING A ROTATABLE FORWARDLY SLIDING BARREL ANDREMOVABLE FIRING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14. 196'? GRENADELAUNCHER HAVING A ROTATABLE FORWARDLY SLIDING BARREL AND REMOVABLEFIRING MECHANISM FiledDec. 14. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United StatesPatent O 3,507,067 GRENADE LAUN CHER HAVING A ROTATABLE FORWARDLYSLIDING BARREL AND REMOV- ABLEiFIRING MECHANISM Henry A. Into, RockyHill, Conn., assignor to Colts Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation ofArizona Filed Dec. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 690,672

Int. Cl. F41c 1]/02 U.S.1Cl. 42-10 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA firearm comprising a rotary locked, concentric barrel` assemblyincluding an outer housing having a cartridge loading opening and aninner barrel received for sliding movement between an extended loadingposition and an unlocked telescoped position, a double action tiringmechanism disposed rearwardly of the barrel and removably fixed to thehousing, and a trigger carried on the barrel for operating the firingmechanism when the barrel is in a locked tiring position, the barrelbeing rotatable from said locked tiring position to said unlockedtelescoped position for automatically disconnecting the trigger from the`tiring mechanism during cartridge loading and unloading.

This invention relates to grenade launchers.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an improved grenadelauncher of a type having a double action firing mechanism whereinlauncher cooking and firing is accomplished in one trigger motion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a grenade `launcher ofthe above described type featuring a significantly improved lockingaction with fully automatic safety provisions.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved grenadelauncher which is particularly suited for quick and easy one-handedloading and unloading.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved grenadelauncher which is readily field stripped into three separateself-contained parts and which is facile to reassemble.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved grenadelauncher of a single shot type requiring a minimum number of handmovements to operate and which is of rugged, compact and lightweightconstruction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved grenadelauncher attachable to a conventional small arm barrel `such as that ofa small caliber rifle for rapid and accurate grenade tiringindependently of and without interfering with normal rifle operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an `improvedcomposite iirearm for quickly and easily tiring both high and lowtrajectory rounds and which is particularly designed to minimize anypossibility of inadvertently firing a round other than `that intendedeven under stress of combat conditions.

`Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, propertiesand relationships of this invention will be obtained from the followingdetailed description and the accompanying illustrative drawings of anexemplary embodiment of this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side View, partly broken away, showing a preferredembodiment of a grenade launcher mounted on a barrel` of a small caliberriiie with the launcher being shown in a locked firing position;

FIG. 2 is a side view similar to FIG. 1, partly broken away, showing thelauncher in an unlocked telescoped 3,507,067 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 ICCposition in broken lines and in a loading position in full lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partly broken away and partly in section,taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, partly broken away and partly in section,taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal side view of the launcher, partlybroken away and partly in section, showing one side of a firingmechanism incorporatedrin this invention with the firing mechanism beingshown immediately after having been tired;

FIG. 6 is a side View, partly broken away and partly in section, of anopposite side of the firing mechanism of FIG. 5 showing in full lines aneutral position of the liring mechanism and a cocked position thereofin broken lines;

FIG. 7 is a section view, partly broken away, taken generally along line7-7 of FIG. 1 and showing a mount for attaching the launcher to therilie barrel;

FIG. 8 is a side view, partly broken away and partly in section, of themount of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric View, showing a sear incorporated in thetiring mechanism of this invention; and

FIG. l0 is a partial section view, on a reduced scale, generally takenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 5.

'Referring now in detail to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of agrenade launcher 10 constructed in accordance with this invention isshown having a pair of concentric tubular cylinders providing a housing12 and a barrel 14 received therein for sliding movement.

The housing 12 is shown for illustrative purposes in a composite rearmassembly wherein the launcher 10 is centrally mounted below a barrel 16of a conventional small arm such as a rifle 18 having a buttstock 20through which recoil thrust is directed upon firing either the rie orthe launcher. The launcher 10 is firmly secured to the rifle barrel 16by a pair of mounts 21, 22, the latter being shown extending upwardlyfrom a forward position of the grenade housing 12 and detachably securedto the fiile barrel 16 by a clamping plate and screw arrangement 24.

To minimize any heat transfer between the launcher 10 and the rifle 118,a heat shield 26 of arcuate cross section embraces the riile barrel 16upon fitting the shield 26 within an upwardly opening U shaped seat 28formed in mount 22. The heat shield 26 preferably is a composite partincluding a metal liner 30` formed, e.g., of steel having a series ofspaced, raised ribs 32 engaging the rie barrel 16 to effect localizedcontact, and an insulating interliner 34 preferably formed of a suitableplastic of low heat conductivity secured between the liner 30 and theseat 28.

So that rie sight 36 can be alternately used as a grenade launcher sightfor ranges up to approximately 50 meters, the launcher 10 is mountedwith its longitudinal axis or bore centerline converging with the riflebore centerline in a direction of discharge. The longitudinal axes ofthe launcher and rifle barrels are normally disposed in a commonvertical plane during use. It is to be understood that separate highelevational grenade launcher sights are mounted on the composite firearmfor grenade trajectories of increased ranges beyond approximately 50meters,

A launcher firing mechanism 38 is provided including a generallyrectangular frame 42 having a large central opening 44. The frame 42 isattached to the housing 12 by a removable mounting pin 46 extendingthrough an upper lug 48 of the frame 42. The latter is retained inposition on the housing 12 by a thrust transfer plate 50 projectingrearwardly from an upper portion of the frame 42 and received in acorresponding recess 52 inside the housing 12. A suitable casing 54protectively encloses the firing mechanism frame 42.

An apertured recoil plate 56 is secured at the front of the frame 42,and a spring loaded hook type extractor 57 is held captive between theframe 42 and the recoil plate 56, the parts being maintained in assemblyby a threaded striker bushing 58. The latter has a central opening 60configured to receive a nose 61 of a firing pin or striker 62. The rearend of striker 62 carries an adjustable end nut 64 received for slidingmovement in a rear opening 66 formed in the frame 42 in coaxialalignment with the striker bushing 58 whereby the striker is supportedfor reciprocable movement within the frame 42 along an axis extendingthrough the opening 60 in the striker bushing 58.

The striker 62 is biased toward the recoil plate 56 by a maincompression spring 68 coiled about the striker 62 with opposite ends ofthe spring `68 abutting a rear shoulder 70 of an enlarged annulus 72,fixed intermediate the ends of the striker 62, and an abutment ring 74slidably mounted on the striker 62 adjacent its end nut 64. To maintainthe nose 61 of the striker 62 within the striker bushing S8 in a normalor neutral position slightly retracted from a breech face 75 of therecoil plate 56, a rebound compression spring 76 is coiled about thestriker 62. Opposite ends of the spring 76 seat against a forwardshoulder 78 of the above mentioned annulus 72 and a rear face 80 of thestriker bushing 58 to continuously urge striker 62 rearwardly of breechface 75. By means of the rear adjusting end nut 64, main compressionspring 68 is readily set regardless of manufacturing variances andtolerances to a predetermined stroke length upon retracting andreleasing the striker 62. Once set, the nut 64 is preferably fixed tothe striker 62 in adjusted position by a pin 82.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the firingmechanism 38 is particularly suited to provide automatic cocking andfiring of a loaded cartridge (such as that shown at 84 in the barrel 14immediately in front of breech face 75 of the recoil plate 56)responsive to one continuous trigger movement.

To withdraw the striker 62 from its neutral position away from therecoil plate 56, a rotatable sear 86 is provided including a bridgeportion 88 having a at sear edge 90 engageable with the forward shoulder78 of the annulus 72. Opposite ends of the bridge portion 88 areintegrally connected to a pair of generally S shaped arms 92, 94 eachhaving arcuate free ends 96, 98 disposed rearwardly of the sear edge 90on opposite sides of the striker 62. A pair of supporting arms such asat 100 are each pivotally mounted at an upper end on an upper portion ofthe frame 42 by a pin 102 and are respectively connected to one of the Sshaped arms 92, 94 by a pivot pin such as at 104. Lower ends of thesupporting arms I100 are interconnected by a cross pin 106 held eaptiveby a traveling yoke 108 mounted on a guide rod 110 secured to the frame42 to extend generally longitudinally thereof for supporting thetraveling yoke 108 for substantially straight line reciprocatingmovement.

With the striker 62 in neutral position, the sear edge 90 is positionedto engage the forward shoulder 78 of the annulus 72 such that rearwardmovement of the traveling yoke 108, from its forwardmost neutralposition shown in full lines in FIG. 6, will withdraw the striker 62against the bias of the main compression spring 68 responsive torearward movement of the sear 86. Rearward movement of the sear v86simultaneously compresses a return spring 112 coiled about a plunger 114having one end seated within a hole 116, formed in the rear portion ofthe frame 42. The plunger 114 extends into a cylindrical opening formedin a pivot sleeve 118 having an end recess 120 receiving a protrusion122 formed on the bridge portion 88 of the sear 86. The spring 112 thusmaintains the pivot sleeve 118 in pressing engagement against the searand provides a resilient pivotal connection between the sear 86 and theframe 42.

A double action cocking and firing movement of the firing mechanism 38is effected as the traveling yoke 108 is moved rearwardly to a firstretracted position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, wherein the arcuatefree ends 96, 98 of the S shaped arms 92, 94 contact a rear wall surface124 of the frame 42 to cock the striker 62. Continued rearward movementof the traveling yoke 108- causes the S shaped sear arms 92, 94 to rockabout their pivot pins 104, lifting the sear edge to release the striker62 which drives forward under the force of its main compression spring6-8 to fire the cartridge 84 (FIG. 5).

The sear 86 and its associated linkage including the yoke 108automatically move forwardly under the force of the return spring 112simultaneously with the rebounding movement of the striker 62 as aresult of impact and the assistance of the rebound spring 76 whereby thesear 86 is again positioned to latch the striker annulus 72 in readinessfor the next firing cycle.

The above described firing mechanism ensures against accidentaldischarge due to shock and eectively prevents any possibility of thelauncher 10 being left cocked. Spring set accordingly is virtuallyeliminated. In addition to being simple and reliable, the firingmechanism 38 is quick to operate and effectively permits a rapid secondstriker blow in the event of a misfire.

Referring now to the barrel assembly of the launcher 10, to promotesimplicity of operation, the launcher of this invention is designed toprovide one-handed loading and unloading. In addition, ease of operationis coupled with automatic safety provisions to completely eliminate anypossibility whatsoever of firing the launcher until it is fully locked.

A radial projection or shoulder 126 is formed on a rear bottom portionof the launcher barrel 14 and projects through a longitudinal cartridgeloading opening 128 formed in a rear, bottom side wall portion of thelauncher housing 12. As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, Shoulder 126 has arecess 130 which receives an arcuate peripheral segment 132 of therecoil plate 56 projecting radially below the rear bottom portion of thehousing 12. A chamber locking lug 134 is defined rearwardly of therecess 130 at the extreme rear end of the barrel 14 for engaging a rearface 136 of the peripheral segment 132 of the recoil plate 56. With thechamber locking lug 134 thus positioned immediately in front of thefiring mechanism 138 in engagement with the rear face 136 of the recoilplate 56, a corner edge portion 138 of the barrel 14 defining theforward extent of the recess 130 maintains an end flange 140 of thecartridge 84 in position adjacent the breech face 75 to be fired uponoperating the firing mechanism 38.

The barrel assembly is releasably latched in a locked firing position(FIGS. l, 3 and 5) by a catch 142 engageable with a peripheral recess144 shown notched in the edge of segment 132. The catch 142 is showndisposed rearwardly of a hand or pistol grip 1-46 directly attached by asuitable fastener 148 to the shoulder 126 of the barrel 14. The catch142 is pivotally supported on the barrel 14 by a pivot pin and acompression spring 152 seated between the pistol grip 146 and a lowerrecessed end portion of the catch 142 releasably holds the catch in theperipheral recess 144 to maintain the barrel 14 in locked tiringposition. It will be noted that in locked firing position, the pistolgrip 146 is generally disposed in a common vertical plane containing thelongitudinal axes of the launcher and riiie barrels. The pistol grip 146thus provides both clear visual as well as tactual indication of thelocked firing position of the launcher.

To expose the cartridge loading opening 128, the catch 142 is pressed torelease the barrel 14. The pistol grip 146 and the entire barrel 14 thenmay be rotated clockwise approximately 40 from locked firing position,to an extent limited by the housing 12 engaging shoulder 126 of thebarrel 14, whereupon the chamber locking lug 134 is angularly displacedbehind the recoil plate 56 to clear its peripheral segment 132. Thepistol grip 146 may then be pushed to slide the barrel 14 forwardlyrelative to the housing 12 to expose the cartridge loading opening 128.As the barrel 14 is moved forwardly, the expended cartridge` 84 isautomatically held in ejection position by the extractor 57 to fallthrough the opening 128 by gravity.

In the illustrated embodiment, a guideway 154 axially extends along theinside Wall of the housing 12 for receiving a rear guide lug 156integrally formed on the barrel 14 for guiding its longitudinal slidingmovement relative to the housing 12.

Foulingdifficulties are minimized by the provision of a bearing guide orsleeve 158 mounted n the housing I2 to circumferentially extend aboutthe barrel 14. The bearing sleeve 158 has an interrupted inside wallproviding a series of spaced contact surfaces 160 engaging the barrel14. Between contact surfaces 160 are recessed portions 161 spaced apartfrom barrel 14 a distance less than the clear ance between the barrel 14and housing 12. Such construction prevents undesired foreign matter fromentering between the barrel 14 and the housing 12 while at the same timepermitting any small particles of dirt therebetween, e.g., to beexpelled in a self-cleaning action to minimize any possibility ofinterference directly between adjoining metal surfaces of the barrelassembly. In the specific illustrated embodiment, the bearing sleeve 158is secured in an annular groove 162 in a forward end portion of theinside` wall of the housing 12, and the bearing sleeve is preferablyformed of nylon or a similar tough, heat resistant, self-lubricatingmaterial. The barrel 14 carries a plurality'of external projections suchas that shown at 164 spaced apart about a rear barrel portion andproviding contact faces engaging the inside wall of the housing 12 toensure smooth sliding movement of the barrel 14.

The contact surfaces 160 additionally effect a frictional grip on thebarrel 14 irrespective of the attitude of the launcher 10. With thecartridge loading opening 128 now fully exposed with the barrel 14extended in loading position `as shown in full lines in FIG. 2, ashooter is then free to release his hand from the pistol grip 146 toinsert a fresh cartridge into the barrel 14 and then regrasp the pistolgrip 146 and pull the barrel 14 rearwardly from the loading positioninto an unlocked telescoped position (shown in FIG. 4 and in brokenlines in FIG. 2). The pistol grip 146 is then merely rotatedcounterclockwise from its unlocked telescoped position (FIG. 4) intolocked firing position (FIGS. 1 and 3).

Only when the barrel 14 is in locked tiring position and fully locked isthe firing mechanism 38 conditioned to be operated. This operatingfeature is in accordance with still another aspect of this inventionwherein a trigger assembly 168 is carried by the launcher barrel 14 foroperating the firing mechanism 38. With the barrel 14 and the triggerassembly 168 being rotatably movable relative to the housing 12 and thetraveling yoke 108 of the ring mechanism 38, the trigger assembly 168 isoperatively aligned with the tiring mechanism 38 only in locked vfiringposition and is automatically misaligned and disconnected from `thefiring mechanism 38 during cartridge loading and unloading `to provide asignificant safety feature.

A launcher trigger 170 is located forwardly of the pistol grip 1146 andhas an integral rearwardly extending trigger extension 172 received forreciprocating movement in an elongated opening 174 formed in barrelshoulder 126 to which the pistol grip 146 is attached. With the barrel14 in locked tiring position, the rear end of the elongated opening 174"confronts a contact face 176 of the traveling yoke 108 whereby uponsqueezing the trigger 170 the trigger extension 172 moves along an axisparallel to the axis ofV movement of the traveling yoke 108 to abut itscontact face 176 `to operate the firing mechanism 38. A groove 178longitudinally extends partially along the bottom surface of thetriggerextension 172, `and a retaining pin 180 6 is fixed to the barrel14 within the groove 178 to limit forward and reverse movement of thetrigger assembly 168.

The trigger assembly 168 is continuously biased toward an extendedrelaxed or relase position (FIG. 1) by a compression spring 1-82 seatedwithin the elongated opening 174 and coiled about a reduced diameterportion 183 of trigger extension 172 whereby the trigger assembly 168 ofthe barrel 14 is normally disassociated from the housing 12 and its ringmechanism 38 to readily permit angular displacement of the barrel duringcartridge loading and unloading and to automatically disconnect thetrigger from the firing mechanism 38.

The trigger 170 has an additional stabilizing rod 184 integrally formedat its base and extending rearwardly into the pistol grip 146 for"sliding movement. Lateral movement of the trigger assembly 168 isthereby effectively prevented to virtually eliminate any possibility ofthe trigger extension 172 being bound up on its retaining pin 180.

With the launcher 10 mounted on the rifle barrel 16 to form a compositefirearm, any possibility of inadvertently firing a round other than thatintended, even under combat stress, is minimized by the above-describedplacement of the launcher trigger 170 forwardly of its pistol grip 146such that the launcher trigger 170 is remotely spaced apart from a rifletrigger 186 shown conventionally mounted below the receiver 187 andimmediately in front of a rie hand grip 189 attached adjacent theforward end of the buttstock 20.

To effect fully automatic safety provisions, a manually releasable crossbolt safety 190 is mounted for movement within a generally rectangulartransverse opening 200 extending through the barrel shoulder 126 so asto communicate with the elongated opening 174 receiving the triggerextension 17 2.

The cross bolt safety 190` has a depending locking face 194 engageablewith an intermediate shoulder 196 of trigger extension 172 forphysically blocking rearward movement of the trigger 170. A recess 198is preferably provided in the cross bolt safety 190 (FIG. 5) forreceiving a head of a detent plunger 201 which is spring biased intoengagement with the cross bolt safety 190 to maintain it in a non-firingsafety position. Upon moving the cross bolt safety 190 to the shootersleft into a release position, the locking face 194 is moved out of theelongated opening 174 to free the trigger extension 172 for rearwardmovement upon squeezing the trigger 170 to re the cartridge 84. Afterthe trigger 170 is released to return under the force of spring 182 toits relaxed position wherein the trigger assembly 168 is disassociatedfrom the firing mechanism 38, catch 142 is released and the pistol grip146 is rotated from its vertical firing position into its unlockedtelescoped position. Upon moving into unlocked telescoped position, thecross bolt safety 190 automatically engages a portion of housing 12defining the cartridge loading opening 128 to move the cross bolt safety190 into non-firing safety position. Such action ensures againstaccidental discharge of the launcher 10 when the next fresh cartridge isloaded with the barrel assembly in locked firing position.

By virtue of the above-described construction, the launcher 10 isreadily field stripped from a rifle 16 simply by bodily removing thefiring mechanism 38 as a unit upon moving the barrel 14 into, eg.,loading position and extracting the mounting pin 46. The barrel 14 maythen be withdrawn rearwardly from the housing to separate the launcherinto three readily reassembled component parts for easy cleaning andmaintenance.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the firingmechanism of this invention can be cocked only by pulling the trigger.The firearm, however, must be in locked ring position and theautomatically engaged cross bolt safety must first be manuallydeactivated. Once the safety is off, the launcher is quickly and easilyred by a single trigger movement and is particularly suited for rapidfiring by the significantly simplified one-handed loading, firing andunloading sequence of operations.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modificationsand adaptations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made withoutdeparting from the underlying principles and teachings of the presentinvention.

I claim:

1. A firearm comprising a barrel assembly having a cartridge loadingopening and movable means for exposing and closing the cartridge loadingopening, said movable means being movable between a loading position anda firing position for exposing and closing the cartridge loadingopening, a fixed firing mechanism secured to the barrel-*assembly andhaving-an actuating drive member, and a trigger carried by said movablemeans and having an extension mounted for reciprocable linear movementthereon for operating the firing mechanism solely when said means is insaid firing position, the trigger extension being normally disassociatedfrom the actuating drive member such that the trigger is automaticallydisconnected from the firing mechanism during cartridge loading andunloading.

2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein the firing mechanism is of a doubleaction type having means cooperating with the actuating drive member forautomatically cocking and firing responsive to a single triggerVmovement when said movable means is in said firing position.

3. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising a small arm having abarrel, the barrel assembly being mounted below the small arm barrel andhaving a longitudinal axis disposed in a common plane containing thelongitudinal axis of the small arm barrel and converging therewith in adirection of discharge.

4. The firearm of claim 1 further comprising a small arm having a barreland a trigger for firing the small arm, the barrel assembly beingmounted below the small arm barrel, said movable means of the barrelassembly including a hand grip disposed forwardly of the small armtrigger, and the barrel assembly trigger being disposed forwardly of thebarrel assembly hand grip in remotely spaced relation to the small armtrigger.

5. The firearm of claim 4 wherein the barrel assembly trigger has arearwardly directed extension received in the movable means for engagingthe actuating drive member of the firing mechanism, and an additionalstabilizing rod integral with the trigger and extending rearwardly intothe hand grip for sliding movement therein to maintain the barrelassembly trigger against lateral movement relative to the movable means.

6. A firearm comprising a barrel assembly having a cartridge loadingopening and movable means for exposing and closing the cartridge loadingopening, a fixed firing mechanism secured to the barrel assembly andhaving an actuating drive member, a hand grip mounted on said movablemeans for moving it between a loading position and a firing position forexposing and closing the cartridge loading opening, and a triggercarried by said movable means for movement therewith into operativecooperation with the actuating drive member for operating the ringmechanism solely when said means is in said firing position such thatthe trigger is automatically disconnected from the firing mechanismduring cartridge loading and unloading, a small arm having a barrel, anda mount extending upwardly from the barrel assembly for detachablysecuring it below the small arm barrel, the mount having an upwardlyopening seat of generally U- shaped cross section, and a heat shieldhaving an arcuate configuration contoured to fit within the seat of themount for embracing the small arm barrel and for minimizing heattransfer therebetween.

7. The firearm of claim 6 wherein the heat shield includes a metal linerhaving a series of raised ribs spaced apart and engaging the small armbarrel to effect localized contact therewith, and an insulatinginterliner secured between the metal liner and the mount.

8. A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, first and second concentriccylinders axially reciprocable relative to one another between a loadingposition and an unlocked telescoped position, a trigger carried by thefirst cylinder and having an extension for operating the firingmechanism, the first cylinder and the trigger being rotatably movablerelative to the second cylinder between said unlocked telescopedposition wherein the trigger extension is angularly displaced inmisaligned relation to the firing mechanism, and a locked firingposition wherein the trigger extension is operatively aligned with butnormally disassociated from the tiring mechanism, the trigger extensionand the firing mechanism being connected upon Vactuation of the triggerin the firing position.

9. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the cylinders extend forwardly of thefiring mechanism and constitute a barrel assembly, one of the cylindershaving a cartridge loading opening, the cartridge loading opening isformed in a rear bottom portion of the second cylinder, the firstcylinder being received within the second cylinder, the second cylinderhaving an internal longitudinal guideway therein, and the first cylinderhaving a rear guide lug registering with the guideway in the secondcylinder when the barrel assembly is moved between said unlockedtelescoped position and said loading position.

10. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the first and second cylindersconstitute a barrel assembly extending forwardly of the firingmechanism, and wherein the firearm further comprises a small arm havinga barrel, the barrel assembly being mounted below the small arm barreland having a longitudinal axis disposed in a common plane containing thelongitudinal axis of the small arm barrel and converging therewith in adirection of discharge, and a hand grip attached to the first cylinderfor manipulating it relative to the second cylinder, the hand gripextending downwardly of the barrel assembly and disposed in said commonplane when in said locked firing position providing visual indication ofthe same.

11. A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, a barrel assembly extendingforwardly of the firing mechanism and including first and secondconcentric cylinders, one of the cylinders having an apertured side wallproviding a cartridge loading opening, the cylinders being axiallyreciprocable relative to one another between a loading position whereinthe cartridge loading opening is exposed and an unlocked telescopedposition wherein the cartridge loading opening is closed, a triggercarried by the first cylinder for operating the firing mechanism, thefirst cylinder and the trigger being rotatably movable relative to thesecond cylinder between said unlocked telescoped position wherein thetrigger is angularly displaced in misaligned relation to the firingmechanism, and a locked firing position wherein the trigger isoperatively aligned with the firing mechanism to provide a rotatablylocked barrel assembly having a trigger automatically disconnected fromthe firing mechanism during cartridge loading and unloading, and amanually releasable safety mounted for movement on the first cylinderand cooperating therewith to establish a safety position blockingtrigger movement and a release position permitting trigger movement, thesafety automatically engaging the second cylinder and being movedthereby into safety position responsive to rotation of the firstcylinder from said locked firing position into said unlocked telescopedposition.

12. A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, a barrel assembly extendingforwardly of the firing mechanism and including first and secondconcentric cylinders, quick disconnect means for detachable connectionof the firing mechanism to the barrel assembly, the firing mechanismbeing bodily removable as a unit from the barrel assembly and permittingseparation of the first and second cylinders to facilitate fieldstripping the firearm, one of the cylinders having an apertured sidewall providing a cartridge loading. opening, the cylinders being axiallyreciprocable relative to one another between a loading position whereinthe cartridge loading opening is exposed and an unlocked telescopedposition wherein the cartridge loading opening is closed, and a triggercarried by the first cylinder for operating the firing mechanism, thefirst" cylinder and the trigger being rotatably movable `relative to thesecond cylinder between said unlocked telescoped position wherein thetrigger is angularly displaced in misaligned relation to the firingmechanism, and a locked firing position wherein the trigger isoperatively aligned with the firing mechanism to pro- *vide a rotatablylocked barrel assembly having a trigger automatically disconnected fromthe firing mechanism during cartridge loading and unloading.

13.` A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, a barrel assemblyextending forwardly of the firing mechanism and including first andsecond concentric cylinders, the first cylinder being received withinthe second cylinder, the second` cylinder including a bearing sleevemounted on aforward portion thereof and circumferentially extendingabout the first cylinder, the bearing sleeve having an interruptedinside wall providing spaced contact surfaces engaging the firstcylinder, the first cylinder carrying a plurality of externalprojections spaced apart about a rear portion `of the first cylinder andhaving contact faces engaging the second cylinder, one of the cylindershaving an apertured side wall providing a cartridge loading opening, thecylinders being axially reciprocable relative to one another between aloading position whereinthe cartridge loading opening is exposed and anunlocked telescoped position wherein the cartridge loading opening isclosed, and a trigger carried by the first cylinder for operating thefiring mechanism, the first cylinder and the trigger beingrotatablymovable relative to the second cylinder between said unlocked telescopedposition wherein the trigger is angularly displaced in misalignedrelation to the firing mechanism, and a locked firing position whereinthe trigger is operatively aligned with the firing mechanism to providea rotatably locked barrel assembly having a trigger automaticallydisconnected from the firing mechanism during cartridge loading andunloading.

14n A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, a barrel assembly extendingforwardly of the firing mechanism and including first and secondconcentric cylinders, the second cylinder having a cartridge loadingopening formed in a rear bottom portion thereof, the first cylinderbeing received within theisecond cylinder and having a rear radialprojection extending through the cartridge loading opening, `thecylinders being axially reciprocable relative to one another between aloading position wherein the cartridge loading opening is exposed and anunlocked telescoped position wherein the carrtridge loading opening isclosed, and a trigger carried by the first cylinder for operating the.firing mechanism, the rst cylinder and the trigger zbeing rotatablymovable relative to the second cylinder between said unlocked telescopedposition wherein the trigger is angularly displaced in misalignedrelation to the firing mechanism, and a locked firing position whereinthe trigger is operatively aligned with the firing mechanism to providea rotatably locked barrel assembly having a trigger automaticallydisconnected from the ring mechanism during cartridge loading andunloading, the` firing mechanism `including a recoil plate defining abreech face` fixed at the rear of the second cylinder and having `an`arcuate peripheral segment projecting radially below therear bottomportion of the second cylinder, and the rear radial` projection having arecess therein for receiving the recoil plate and defining a lug at therear of the first cylinder engaging a rear face of the peripheralsegment of the recoil plate when the first cylinder is angularly movedfrom said unlocked telescoped position to said locked firing position.

15. Thezzfirearm of claim 14 wherein the recoil plate has a peripheralrecess therein, and a spring biased catch pivotally supported on theradial projection of the first cylinder and engageable with theperipheral recess of the recoil plate for releasably latching the barrelassembly in said locked firing position.

16. A firearm comprising a firing mechanism, a barrel assembly extendingforwardly of the firing mechanism and including first and secondconcentric cylinders, the second cylinder having a cartridge loadingopening formed therein, the first cylinder being received within thesecond cylinder and having a rear radial projection extending throughthe cartridge loading opening, the cylinders being axially reciprocablerelative to one another between a loading position wherein the cartridgeloading opening is exposed and an unlocked telescoped position whereinthe cartridge loading opening is closed, and a trigger carried by thefirst cylinder for operating the firing mechanism, the first cylinderand the trigger being rotatably movable relative to the second cylinderbetween said unlocked telescoped position wherein the trigger isangularly displaced in misaligned relation to the firing mechanism, anda locked firing position wherein the trigger is operatively aligned withthe firing mechanism to provide a rotatably locked barrel assemblyhaving a trigger automatically disconnected from the firing mechanismduring cartridge loading and unloading, the first cylinder radialprojection having an elongated opening therein operatively aligned withthe firing mechanism solely upon positioning the first cylinder in saidlocked firing position, and the trigger having an extension reciprocablein the elongated opening for operating the firing mechanism, the triggerbeing continuously biased toward an extended inactive position with itsextension disassociated from the firing mechanism.

17. The firearm of claim 16 wherein a manually releasable safety crossbolt extends through the radial projection transversely to the triggerextension for movement between a safety position wherein the cross boltphysically blocks movement of the trigger extension, and a releaseposition wherein the trigger extension is free of interference from thecross bolt, the latter automatically engaging a portion of the secondcylinder adjacent its cartridge loading opening upon rotating the firstcylinder into Said unlocked telescoped position for automatically movingthe cross bolt into safety position.

18. A firearm comprising a housing having a generally cylindrical boreand a recoil plate defining a breech face at the rear of the bore, amovable striker supported on the housing behind the recoil plate andbiased toward the same, a barrel mounted on the housing for axialreciprocable movement for cartridge loading and unloading, a Sear forcocking the striker, a linkage mounted on the housing and supporting theSear for both rectilinear and rotary movement, and a trigger carried onthe barrel, the barrel being rotatable relative to the housing betweenan unlocked telescoped position wherein the trigger is misalignedrelative to the Sear linkage and a locked firing position wherein thetrigger is operatively aligned with the sear linkage for operating thesame, the sear linkage including a traveling yoke connected to the searand mounted on the housing for substantially straight line reciprocatingmovement, the trigger including an extension mounted in the barrel formovement along an axis parallel to the axis of movement of the travelingyoke when the barrel is in locked firing position, and the trigger beingcontinuously biased toward an extended release position with itsextension disassociated from the housing to permit the barrel to beangularly displaced thereto and its trigger automatically disconnectedfrom the sear linkage in misaligned relation thereto during cartridgeloading and unloading.

19. The firearm of claim 18 wherein the sear linkage is movable to afirst position for withdrawing the sear and striker away from the recoilplate to a cocked position, the sear while in cocked position beingrotatable 1l by the linkage away from the striker upon continuedmovement of the linkage beyond its said first position to release thecocked striker.

20. A firearm comprising a housing having a firing mechanism frame and agenerally cylindrical bore, the

frame having a recoil plate fixed thereto and defining a breech face atthe rear of the bore, a movable striker supported on the frame behindthe recoil plate and biased toward the same, a sear for cocking thestriker, and a sear linkage mounted on the frame and supporting the Searfor both rectilinear and rotary movement, the sear linkage being movableto a first position for withdrawing the sear and striker away from therecoil plate to a cocked position, the sear while in cocked positionbeing rotatable by the linkage away from the striker upon continuedmovement of the linkage beyond its said first position to release thecocked striker, the firing mechanism frame being bodily removable fromthe housing for quick and easy assembly and disassembly.

21. The firearm of claim 20 further including a return spring betweenthe housing and the sear continuously urging the sear and its linkagetoward the recoil plate for engaging the sear with the striker.

22. A firearm comprising a housing having a generally cylindrical boreand a recoil plate defining a breech face at the rear of the bore, amoveable striker supported on the housing behind the recoil plate andbiased toward the same, a sear for cocking the striker, the searincluding a bridge portion having a sear edge engageable with thestriker, and a pair of generally S shaped arms each having an end fixedto opposite ends of the bridge portion, respectively, and an oppositefree end, and a linkage mounted on the housing and including a pair ofsupporting arms each pivotally mounted at one end on the housing andhaving a connecting pin at its other end interconnecting the supportingarms, the latter each being pivotally connected to one of the S shapedarms of the Sear, and a trigger operated traveling yoke mounted on thehousing for substantially straight line reciprocating movement, thetraveling yoke embracing the connecting pin in captured relation andmovable to a first position for withdrawing the sear and striker awayfrom the recoil plate to a cocked position wherein the free ends of thesear engage the housing, the sear while in cocked position beingrotatable by the linkage away from the striker upon continued movementof the traveling yoke beyond its said first position to release thecocked striker.

23. The firearm of claim 22 wherein the free ends of the sear arms areeach contoured to provide a cocking movement upon engaging the housingto effect rotation of the sear edge away from the striker to release thesame responsive to continued movement of the traveling yoke beyond itssaid first position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 511,940 1/ 1894 Fairbanks 42-11,067,004 7/ 1913 Decker 42-69 1,316,803 9/1919 Pugsley 42-69 2,347,6455/ 1944 Sherrer et al 42-69 2,397,572 4/ 1946 Weaver 42-10 2,888,7686/1959 Taylor 42-1 3,279,114 10/ 1966 Lewis et al. 42-1.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 215,423 9/ 1941 Switzerland.

SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner CHARLES T. JORDAN, Assistant ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R.

